Quite sadly

corrupt taxi drivers in Prague are one of the biggest problems commonly encountered by all visitors to Prague.

Tourist spots

Don't even think about getting into a taxi that is parked in front of the train station or at a tourist spots. They are waiting for unsuspecting tourists and are known to charge rates several times higher.

Locals

We hate them as much as you do! Czechs hate taxi drivers as much as they despise the police.

Another tip

If you feel that taxi driver will rip you off purposely make a show of writing down taxi registration no. for example to your mobile - you’re a lot less likely to be ripped off.

Call taxi

Be smart and order a taxi by phone from one of these reliable and courteous taxi companies.

Prague links

Prague Infamous Taxi

Monday 18th April 2005
Prague's 'Infamous' Taxi Drivers Head for Darlington
Visitors to Darlington Town Centre are wondering what to expect, since a local taxi firm announced its intention to import some of Europe's most notorious taxi drivers - from Prague. With their reputation for violence, extortionate fares and purporting not to know the way to the city centre, Prague's taxi drivers have long been one of the less attractive features of the Czech capital.

Now, though, the fearsome cabbies may be about to meet their match by swapping post-communist Prague for post-closing time Britain. Station Taxis, a cab firm in Darlington, Co Durham, is hiring a group of Prague taxi drivers for its round-the-clock service. Drivers more used to ferrying people towards Wenceslas Square will now head for Darlington town centre and the colourful bars of the Bigg Market in Newcastle. Station Taxis has set up a training school in Prague, where drivers are checked to see if they have a criminal background, how well they speak English and - most important - whether they can keep an even temper.

Andy Watson, who runs Station Taxis, said that he turned to Prague because of a shortage of local drivers, taking advantage of cheap flights to the Czech capital and new laws, which came into force after the Czech Republic was given EU membership last year, allowing east Europeans to work in Britain. The drivers can earn up to £350 a week for 50 hours' work - the equivalent of a month's salary at home.

Among the new recruits about to leave for Darlington is Ivan Krausko, 53, a former Czech army officer who has struggled to find work for the past two and a half years because of Czechoslovakia's high unemployment rates. Asked how he would cope with rowdy Britons late on Friday nights, he shrugged. "I have more than 20 years in the army, so nothing is new for me," he said. "I have a lot of experience with this."

The poor reputation of Mr Krausko's colleagues dates back to communist days, when many were said to be agents of Czechoslovakia's STB secret service, paid to keep tabs on customers' backseat conversations. Most are said to overcharge ruthlessly, even deploying their STB skills on customers who query their bills. In one scandal, drivers wired electrodes to passenger seats so that fares who argued the toss could be answered with a sharp shock. Earlier this year, the mayor of Prague, Pavel Bem, vowed a crackdown after posing as a tourist and being ripped off. In response, he received letters with such warnings as "We're watching you!", signed "Taxis".

Source: Daily Telegraph

Prague Taxi Driver sometimes try to rip off tourists saying we charge extra for this and that. So make sure when taking a taxi from airport that you agreed total price no extra charge for anything ...

Prague Taxi safety tips

Here are some tips that might save you nightmares and a few hundred crowns:

• Don't get into a taxi that is parked in front of the train station or at a tourist site. These are waiting for unsuspecting tourists and are known to charge rates several times higher than they should be.

• If you need to catch a taxi on the street, make sure it is a real, registered taxi. The yellow roof lamp must be permanently installed and must say TAXI in black letters on both sides. The company name, license number and rates should be printed on both front doors.

• Try to find out beforehand how much your ride should cost. If you're stopping a taxi on the street, you can ask the driver before getting in and even pay in advance if the amount sounds reasonable. If you're ordering a taxi by phone (always a good idea), you can get a price estimate from the dispatcher.

• Once in the car, make sure that the rate on the taximeter corresponds to the price list posted in the car. If it doesn't, bring it to the driver's attention or have him stop the car and get off.

• You have the right to request a printed receipt from the driver. If he refuses to give it to you, you can refuse to pay the fare.